The things you don't "budget" for will always cost more than the budgeted items....So by you figuring 7100 as a "budget", figure about 8000 for the "unbudgeted - unforseen" items and thats 15100....sounds about right....
Newb looking to buy 74 fj
- Thread starter BDSeff1fitty
- Start date
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I'd think you're better off to find a 4000 dollar rig up front. they're out there, just keep looking and be ready to move instantly, including travel, to get the deal done. If you've "only welded twice", and want to learn to weld, it's a great welding project for sure. Extensive, time consuming, and the job isn't done when the welding is, that's when you turn into a body man. Your call, someone will save it more than likely, but it might not have to be you.
BDSeff1fitty
1987 Toyota 4Runner
- Thread starter
- #23
ok well some of you got what i was going for.
i want a vehicle to do everything on. i want to try atleast some body work, welding, engine, tranny, gears, and basically everything a project like this would involve. what worries me about this particular 40 i found is the rust spot like yall have said.
i understand exactly what you mean by keep spending more and more money on the vehicle, the truck i have now i have spent about 6-7k in the past year on mods. but i also see alot of you guys have 350 small blocks in your rigs, don't ever plan to go that route, wanna keep my rig all Yota. also alot of yall have gone more extensive than i would plan to go until i have a full time job outta college. so i just don't see me spending 15k on this any time soon. really just want this as a new hobby, getting out of dirtbikes for the time being. so my dirtbike money will be going to this rig (thats where my 4k budget is coming from at the moment)
few questions:
if you were to offer money for that rig, what would your offer be?
what are specific spots to look for on it? other than the obvious ofcourse.
i want a vehicle to do everything on. i want to try atleast some body work, welding, engine, tranny, gears, and basically everything a project like this would involve. what worries me about this particular 40 i found is the rust spot like yall have said.
i understand exactly what you mean by keep spending more and more money on the vehicle, the truck i have now i have spent about 6-7k in the past year on mods. but i also see alot of you guys have 350 small blocks in your rigs, don't ever plan to go that route, wanna keep my rig all Yota. also alot of yall have gone more extensive than i would plan to go until i have a full time job outta college. so i just don't see me spending 15k on this any time soon. really just want this as a new hobby, getting out of dirtbikes for the time being. so my dirtbike money will be going to this rig (thats where my 4k budget is coming from at the moment)
few questions:
if you were to offer money for that rig, what would your offer be?
what are specific spots to look for on it? other than the obvious ofcourse.
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I didn't read all of the other responses in detail and I didn't see that anyone mentioned the compression readings you quoted so forgive me if this is a repeat. I think 114 psi is the minimum according to the FSM and you said you had 119-120 so you're not too far off the minimum. I know it can run for years more at 119-120 or even 114 or lower but just because the motor is nice and clean looking doesn't mean it isn't tired and I'd say it's tired. I'd pass and find one with a more solid tub and/or a less tired engine.
Good luck,
Pete
Be patient. You can find a better base rig for not much more. I bought mine here in Dallas a couple years ago for $4k and it was a lot better to start with.
BDSeff1fitty
1987 Toyota 4Runner
- Thread starter
- #26
did you find it thru craigslist? or ebay?
BDSeff1fitty
1987 Toyota 4Runner
- Thread starter
- #27
nah, that was really helpful. any thing else you can think of feel free to tell me. i love learning things im interested in. when most of yall bought your rigs farther away from home, maybe like 3 hrs or farther did you trailer it home, have it shipped home, or drive it home? i know it depends on the condition, but im assuming it wouldn't be wise to buy an fj from 8 hrs away and plan to drive it home
Buy the best Cruiser you can afford, THEN start putting money into it. The body on my '78 was similar to the pictures you posted, and it took a lot of time and money to get it to look decent--not perfect, but decent. Also, the rear tub rail on the one you are looking at is rusted out. In order to put new quarter panels on a 40, you usually have to start with at least a solid tub rail, as that's what the new quarter panel is welded to. Good luck.
In my opinion, most of your numbers are too low. You are going to buy four 35 inch tires AND rims for $400? BF Goodrich All Terrain T/A KO tires listed by size Are they going to be new? balanced and mounted? Do you have to sandblast and paint your rims? etc
Most 4" SUA lifts have been reported in the $800-1000 range before shipping, and the general feel from these boards is that SOA is slightly more expensive, and may involve other things that you aren't adding up. https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/135736-average-cost-including-labor-soa.html
Metal work, especially in that rig is going to be more than $600 to get it to "looking good" as you want. A pair of quarter panels is over half of your budget once you have them shipped. Quarter Panels
And then you said you wanted to add power steering which isn't that expensive but also isn't free. All the little things add up.
Add in tools that you will buy, unforseen things, shipping, a Grant steering wheel
etc, and I would agree with others that have posted here that you probably need to double your budget. I'm no expert, and I'm a mechanical idiot, but I'm in the exact stage you are -- Doing research and trying to see what this is all going to cost me.
Please don't take offense, but I think you need to search these forums more, research some of these mods you are talking about, and then research what they are actually going to cost you on the internet / local shops.
BDSeff1fitty
1987 Toyota 4Runner
- Thread starter
- #30
In my opinion, most of your numbers are too low. You are going to buy four 35 inch tires AND rims for $400? BF Goodrich All Terrain T/A KO tires listed by size Are they going to be new? balanced and mounted? Do you have to sandblast and paint your rims? etc
tires/rims used. i live in texas there are mexican tire shops everywhere. they have crazy deals always. already have BFG AT's on my DD, i like em but this rig is going to be my offroad toy so going for a mud terrain, most likely just BFG's since their easy to find at the mexican used tire shops. rims i plan on painting eventually, but thats not any where near the top of my priority list so thats more of a when i finish what i need to get done i will get around to it
Most 4" SUA lifts have been reported in the $800-1000 range before shipping, and the general feel from these boards is that SOA is slightly more expensive, and may involve other things that you aren't adding up. https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/135736-average-cost-including-labor-soa.html
Plan on researching SOA ALOT more i really want 6-8" of lift, might as well AAL or a new leaf pack and get the height i want, since i will already be spending money on driveshafts. forgot to calculate that into my budget as well. i have been revising it like crazy. so my old numbers beside the 40 cost is all wrong.
Metal work, especially in that rig is going to be more than $600 to get it to "looking good" as you want. A pair of quarter panels is over half of your budget once you have them shipped. Quarter Panels
And then you said you wanted to add power steering which isn't that expensive but also isn't free. All the little things add up.
Power steering i would not do for a while, my first goals will be getting it looking good
Add in tools that you will buy, unforseen things, shipping, a Grant steering wheel
i already said, that budget of 4k is my starting budget meaning i can afford to spend that right up front. so 4k is not my max, its what at the moment i can do. beginning the new year my budget should be another 1,000 bucks atleast so i should be at around 5k in januarary i know my numbers are low, i researched a little more, i plan on doing alot of research on a SOA i want to be able to possibly run 36's or 37s eventually way down the road, what are the max tire size recommended for stock axles? 35s?
I'm no expert, and I'm a mechanical idiot, but I'm in the exact stage you are -- Doing research and trying to see what this is all going to cost me.
Please don't take offense, but I think you need to search these forums more, research some of these mods you are talking about, and then research what they are actually going to cost you on the internet / local shops.
my friends a professional welder, so any welding i can't handle a 12 pack of beer will cover and he will do it for me. the shop i had some work done on my DD cuts me crazy deals on certain parts since i spent so much money with them last spring. but i know, i have researched more, and numbers will grow. from my "rough" calculations its looking a lot higher than my original thoughts, but i have decided to search for another cruiser with less rust to save money on body work. [/qoute]
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It was some random website, like vintagecartrader.com or the like. Ebay and craigs are great for sellers, but a picky buyer needs to use alternative means.
I'll say it before someone else does.............This post is worthless without pictures !!My bad....didn't scroll down and see the pics.
If you budget 7k you'll probably spend 12k.....it's a snow balling addiction ! It will suck you under into the abyss....your family will want to have an intervention. Welcome to the addiction !!
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I'd pass! Why don't you take a short trip to California. Check this one out.
1968 toyota landcruiser fj40
BDSeff1fitty
1987 Toyota 4Runner
- Thread starter
- #34
that one looks REALLY good. i'd probly spend a 1000 bucks in gas and hotel, but 2k looks like a steal for it. ill email the guy and get more photo's. i just got off craigslist 2 seconds ago but didn't check out california. but i did look at about ever state in central U.S.
good find
dont forget transport options. I got mine from Col to Mn for less than 1K. But sometimes the drive home is a huge part of the deal...... Gatta say its pretty fun to see the big rig roll up in the hood though....
Looks like a much better rig.....for 2k that would be a great start
BDSeff1fitty
1987 Toyota 4Runner
- Thread starter
- #36
i would really like to drive and pick up any rig i bought just for the trip. and so i can stare at it in the rear view mirrow the whole drive home! waiting to hear back from that guy. i had gotten qoutes a while back shipping from utah to bama it was between 850-1200. so i bet it would be about the same for cali to texas. can't wait to hear back from that guy. that rig looks sweet
BDSeff1fitty
1987 Toyota 4Runner
- Thread starter
- #37
picking up my welder from my uncle next friday on my way home. its a millermatic mig. not sure on which model but its FREE so im happy. saves about $800 atleast. dad already has plans for what i will be welding him over thanksgiving. now i just need to find me an fj40 by end of the year
BDSeff1fitty
1987 Toyota 4Runner
- Thread starter
- #38
bought a 40. sending payment to the guy, and having it shipped.
things needed to get/do:
1) hard top
2) ambulance doors
3) finish steering set up
4) finish exhaust (only has manifolds right now but has 350 small block )
5) shocks
6) drive shafts probly will need to be lengthed (what kind of shop do i bring them to?)
7) little rust in rear quarters
question about hy steer that i didn't find an answer for in the FAQ's. if you get a hy steer from 4x4 labs or any where really, does it just bolt on and you need to modify your steering from the PS box, or will it bolt up just like it did before the SOA? thanks for the help, i know i will be using it ALOT
things needed to get/do:
1) hard top
2) ambulance doors
3) finish steering set up
4) finish exhaust (only has manifolds right now but has 350 small block
)5) shocks
6) drive shafts probly will need to be lengthed (what kind of shop do i bring them to?)
7) little rust in rear quarters
question about hy steer that i didn't find an answer for in the FAQ's. if you get a hy steer from 4x4 labs or any where really, does it just bolt on and you need to modify your steering from the PS box, or will it bolt up just like it did before the SOA? thanks for the help, i know i will be using it ALOT
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bought a 40. sending payment to the guy, and having it shipped.
things needed to get/do:
1) hard top
2) ambulance doors
3) finish steering set up
4) finish exhaust (only has manifolds right now but has 350 small block
5) shocks
6) drive shafts probly will need to be lengthed (what kind of shop do i bring them to?)
7) little rust in rear quarters
question about hy steer that i didn't find an answer for in the FAQ's. if you get a hy steer from 4x4 labs or any where really, does it just bolt on and you need to modify your steering from the PS box, or will it bolt up just like it did before the SOA? thanks for the help, i know i will be using it ALOT
cool... where are the pics... FYI a 74 should not have amby doors, (unless very late 74) they had the barn doors... and the rear window that raised up... check out my build thread it is on there...
Congrats! That didn't take long at all. Can't wait to see the pics. And so it begins....
